![user profile avatar](https://static.bold.org/profilePictures/updatedphoto6ac727068f804b03933b2de5c8b35ee5.webp)
Hobbies and interests
Gender Studies
Social Justice
Social Work
Counseling And Therapy
Exploring Nature And Being Outside
Art
Animals
Kristyn Mason
275
Bold Points1x
Finalist![user profile avatar](https://static.bold.org/profilePictures/updatedphoto6ac727068f804b03933b2de5c8b35ee5.webp)
Kristyn Mason
275
Bold Points1x
FinalistEducation
Ohio State University-Main Campus
Master's degree programMajors:
- Social Work
University of Toledo
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- Social Work
Owens Community College
Associate's degree programMajors:
- Social Work
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
Miscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Master's degree program
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
- Social Work
Career
Dream career field:
Mental Health Care
Dream career goals:
Public services
Advocacy
NWO LGBTQ+ Coalition — Secretary of Healthcare commitee2022 – PresentAdvocacy
Equality Toledo — Intern2024 – Present
Disability in Social Work Scholarship
My name is Kristyn Mason, and as a child, at 11 years old, I was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Polyarticular Arthritis, which shattered my world and goals of being a basketball player. As the years went on and the condition worsened, more of the dreams I had shifted, each with a period of grief and acceptance along the way. With having a chronic, unpredictable, yet progressively debilitating disease, there is a continuous acceptance that presents throughout life. Now, as a 38-year-old single parent pursuing my Masters in Social Work, I have found I bring incredible lived experience as well as learned. I have been by these events and experiences given a unique perspective and level of relatability with others who may find themselves navigating a world they did not foresee or wish for. The disability status I have now is something I have not been and hope never to be limited by. I see it as information, not restriction. This thinking has brought me to where I am today and further increased my resiliency.
With my experience navigating the world as I have, I find myself pursuing social work with the desire to incorporate art, nature, and animal-assisted therapies into my work. I want to offer holistic approaches that honor a person's journey and recognize the interconnectedness within their physical body, the environment in which they live, and their spiritual practices. My ultimate vision is to establish a private practice immersed in natural surroundings, providing multiple therapeutic spaces with views of nature to support increased mindfulness and tranquility. These spaces will facilitate various therapeutic modalities, including meditation and movement-based approaches, fostering holistic healing. Honoring my experience as a person with mobility differences can offer a bridge to those moving through life in an able-bodied world. The space will be mindful of the barriers often encountered by those with physical differences. I have personally been in spaces that were ADA-compliant and accessible; however, there was a disconnect in the ease of the accessibility, often with ramps being on different ends or parking spaces being restrictive and not intuitive to those utilizing them. I envision a dedicated studio space equipped for artistic activities, serving as a creative sanctuary where clients can explore self-expression and healing through visual arts such as pottery, painting, and more. This vision epitomizes my career aspirations in social work. It reflects my commitment to holistic healing and comprehensive support for clients on their wellness journey, including meeting the person where they are.